Adam Johnson’s girlfriend rushed onto ice after freak hockey accident

The girlfriend of ice hockey star Adam Johnson ran onto the ice to wish by his facet after a skate slashed his throat in a freak accident, it has emerged.

Adam Johnson, 29, died after having been struck within the neck by an ice hockey blade through the match between Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers at Utilita Arena Sheffield on Saturday night time. 

His companion, who was within the crowd through the match, is known to have rushed to his facet after the horrific accident, The Sun reported.

Fellow hockey gamers shaped a hoop round Mr Johnson to offer privateness as hundreds of spectators had been requested to exit the stadium and paramedics put up a protecting display, witnesses recall. 

His heartbroken followers and teammates left flowers and tributes exterior the sector on Sunday as they honoured the American athlete and urged the membership to additionally take care of the opposite participant concerned within the conflict.

Mr Johnson, 29, was killed after he reportedly suffered an unintended gash to his throat by rival participant Matt Petgrave. 

Witnesses have claimed the ‘horrible’ accident was an ‘one in 1,000,000 probability prevalence’ that can ‘in all probability by no means occur once more’.

Hazel Woods, a Panthers fan who attended the match, stated she can’t cease replaying the tragedy in her head. She recalled how Mr Petgrave’s blade was ‘caught’ in Mr Johnson’s throat, leaving ‘blood all over the place’.

‘His group mates appeared horrified and banded collectively round him to protect him from the gang. They had been superb,’ she informed the newspaper. 

Ms Woods added that ‘no on was responsible’ for the ‘completely tragic’ accident, saying: ‘Normally there could be quite a lot of rivalry between the Panthers and Steelers however not at present, now we have put that apart. It’s the hockey household coming collectively.’ 

Fans have left flowers, a shirt bearing Mr Johnson’s quantity, candles and playing cards with heartfelt messages exterior the sector in a makeshift memorial for the hockey star.

Assistant coach Kevin Moore stated that the membership is ‘actually grateful for all of the love and help’ that has been proven for Mr Johnson, including that ‘collectively’ everybody would heal.

‘We are going to be robust and can proceed that approach and we are going to do you guys proud,’ Mr Moore stated. ‘We admire you coming right here at present and we thanks for all of your help.’

Meanwhile, officers are investigating Mr Johnson’s tragic loss of life. South Yorkshire Police had been contacted at 8.25pm on Saturday and later confirmed the athlete was pronounced deceased at hospital.

Officers from the power stay on the scene and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

A spokesperson stated: ‘We had been referred to as at 8.25pm yesterday (28 October) to reviews {that a} participant had been significantly injured throughout a Sheffield Steelers versus Nottingham Panthers sport on the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.

‘Officers attended the scene alongside different emergency providers and one man, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with severe accidents. Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at hospital.

‘Our officers stay on the scene finishing up enquiries at present (29 October) and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident stay ongoing.’

Mr Petgrave, 31, was the joint lead scorer for the northern facet and the skating group has rallied across the Canadian in sympathy. 

One – Gavin Evans – stated: ‘Spare a thought for Matt Petgrave as nicely at present guys. He should be feeling completely horrible. 

‘Complete and utter accident however he’ll want help by means of this greater than most.’

A fan account for Scottish ice hockey outfit the Glasgow Clan added: ‘Matt this isn’t your fault. A freak accident which might have occurred to anybody. 

‘Please somebody if  Matt maintain holding him good and tight. The entire league is behind you.’

And match night time announcer for the Sheffield Steelers David Simms added: ‘Just a horrible night time on the enviornment, tragic. 

‘Our ideas go to Adam’s household, associates and group mates, nothing can put together you for one thing like this. 

‘To Steelers followers, we are going to do every little thing we will to make sure Matt Petgrave & the group are taken care of in the very best approach.’

The American athlete’s damage on Saturday night time was so horrific it compelled the sport to be deserted and left traumatised followers in tears.

The membership have beforehand rallied behind Mr Petgrave after he was booted out of two of 4 video games final season for allegedly jabbing one other participant together with his stick and abusing officers, The Star reported.

Coach Aaron Fox defended him and rubbished ‘very, very smooth calls’, however admitted typically he must ‘tone it down’

Tributes have been left to the Mr Johnson on the Sheffield Arena – together with flowers and a shirt inscribed with notes from followers calling him a ‘legend’ and ‘distinctive’.

And crowds of tearful supporters have gathered within the group’s colors exterior Nottingham’s Motor Point enviornment.

They had been joined by the participant’s teammates, who laid flowers and held again tears alongside his sobbing followers.

And at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium gamers and workers noticed a minute’s silence – paying tribute to the Minnesota-born athlete.

Mr Johnson’s mom Kari took to social media to share her heartbreak this morning – telling associates: ‘I misplaced half of my coronary heart at present.’

And his membership stated they had been ‘actually devastated’ by the information – paying tribute to ‘an awesome teammate and an unbelievable individual together with his entire life forward of him’.

The Elite Ice Hockey League stated they had been ‘heartbroken’ to verify the ‘deeply upsetting’ information – and have postponed all video games scheduled to happen at present. 

Devastated followers have taken to social media to share their grief for the Minnesota-born star, utilizing the hashtag ‘sticksoutfor47’ – a reference to the quantity Mr Johnson wore. 

Around 8,000 followers noticed the nightmare collision on Saturday night time earlier than the sport was shortly stopped and screens had been introduced onto the pitch to guard the gamers concerned. The match was later deserted.

Sharing the information, his membership stated: ‘The Nottingham Panthers are actually devastated to announce that Adam Johnson has tragically handed away following a freak accident on the sport in Sheffield final night time.

‘The Panthers wish to ship our ideas and condolences to Adam’s household, his companion, and all his associates at this extraordinarily tough time.

‘Everyone on the membership together with gamers, workers, administration, and possession are heartbroken on the information of Adam’s passing.’

They added that their ideas weren’t simply with these closest to the athlete – however the followers and workers who noticed the incident.

The membership additionally thanked the individuals who rushed to try to save him amid the horror incident.

They continued: ‘Adam, our quantity 47, was not solely an impressive ice hockey participant but in addition an awesome teammate and an unbelievable individual together with his entire life forward of him.

‘The Club will dearly miss him and can by no means ever overlook him.’

One witness informed MailOnline that Mr Johnson tried to skate again to his group after the damage to his throat however collapsed earlier than he made it, prompting panicked scenes as gamers and medics rushed out to assist the stricken star. 

Yorkshire Ambulance Service stated they had been referred to as at round 8.21pm earlier than sending two ambulances and a crucial care paramedic – with one man taken to hospital. 

South Yorkshire Police had been contacted 4 minutes later, and confirmed he was later pronounced deceased at hospital. 

Officers from the power stay on the scene and an investigation into the incident is ongoing. 

Devastated spectators who witnessed the accident had been left in ‘tears’ and hugging each other, with one saying ‘they’re going to by no means recover from’ what they noticed. 

‘It was horrible to see. People had been crying and passing out,’ one other shocked witness added.

The freak accident appeared to have been attributable to a Sheffield Steelers’ participant as he tried to deal with one other one in all Mr Johnson’s teammates. 

The northern membership shared a press release from the Elite Ice Hockey League – including: ‘Everyone on the Steelers ship their condolences to Adam Johnson’s companion, household group mates.’

Ice Hockey UK added: ‘Ice Hockey UK wish to ship our ideas and condolences to the household, associates and team-mates of Nottingham Panthers ahead Adam Johnson who handed away final night time. 

‘The hockey household stands collectively together with his household – and with one another – at this tough time.’

Footage reveals Mr Johnson being struck within the neck by a skate earlier than he then collapses. Bleeding closely, the hockey star manages to get to his ft as teammates scrambled to assist him.

Shocked followers had been left traumatised by the incident, with many taking to social media to share their horror on the accident. 

Hockey followers have taken to social media this morning to share their heartbreak. 

Fellow ice hockey membership the Hull Seahawks stated they had been ‘devastated’ to listen to the information of his loss of life.

One spectator – who noticed the horror collision on the enviornment – added: ‘We had been there as a household and we had been all praying for a distinct final result.

‘Condolences to his household, Panthers and Steelers gamers. A devastating loss.’

Another fan – Helen Brearley – added: ‘Please know that Adam impressed many younger gamers in Nottingham.’

And a 3rd – Alan Hukins – stated: ‘So unhappy to listen to this horrible information. Sheffield is my group and Nottingham are our nice rivals however we’re with all our hockey associates in Nottingham and particularly their household at this horrible time.’

After witnessing the incident, one individual wrote on X, previously often called Twitter: ‘Stuff of nightmares on the panthers sport tonight, praying for Adam Johnson.’ 

Another wrote on Facebook: ‘My 17-year-old has come residence in bits, he stated he cannot un-see what he is seen tonight. He’s white as a sheet. My ideas and prayers are with the groups concerned.’ 

Someone else shared: ‘My son and I had been there, watching play intensely. We simply maintain hugging one another. A whole lot of upset people, so I do know we’re not alone.’  

Another wrote on X: ‘That was undoubtedly the worst factor I’ve ever seen occur, I’m so sorry. We’re all completely sick with fear, praying for a miracle.’ 

A fifth added: ‘Really actually hope he is okay and information of his restoration is posted quickly. Thoughts and prayers to him and his household at this very anxious time.’  

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Ambulance Service informed MailOnline: ‘We had been referred to as at 8:21 this night to the Sheffield Steeler’s sport at Sheffield enviornment. 

‘We attended a male and despatched two ambulances and a crucial care paramedic, and we despatched one affected person to hospital.’ 

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police added on Sunday: ‘We had been referred to as at 8.25pm yesterday (28 October) to reviews {that a} participant had been significantly injured throughout a Sheffield Steelers versus Nottingham Panthers sport on the Utilita Arena in Sheffield.

‘Officers attended the scene alongside different emergency providers and one man, aged in his 20s, was taken to hospital with severe accidents. Sadly, he was later pronounced deceased at hospital.

‘Our officers stay on the scene finishing up enquiries at present (29 October) and our investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident stay ongoing.’

Nottingham Panthers posted on X: ‘Players are returning to the locker rooms.’

The account then offered an replace that: ‘Fans have been requested to go away the constructing as a result of a serious medical emergency’

Nottingham Motorpoint Arena, which is the Panther’s residence floor, later posted on X: ‘Our heartfelt ideas exit to Adam Johnson, his family members, all of the Panthers gamers, workers, followers and the entire ice hockey group, following his horrific damage this night.’

MailOnline has contacted Nottingham Panthers and South Yorkshire Police for remark. 

American Mr Johnson beforehand performed for the Pittsburgh Penguins.